Former CEO of Lion and Nestle Oceania, Robert Murray, has been appointed to Metcash’s board of directors as non-executive director, and will become chairman later this year following the resignation of Peter Barnes.

Murray was previously the head of Australasia’s largest beer company, Lion, and was also CEO of Nestle Oceania from 2000 until 2004.

Murray is also chairman of electronics retailer, Dick Smith, and a non-executive director of Super Retail Group and Southern Cross Austereo. The grocery wholesaler confirmed Murray will be appointed as chairman following the company’s 2015 annual general meeting in August.

“With considerable and broad based sector experience, including as former CEO of Lion and also Nestle Oceania, Rob’s expertise, especially in retail, FMCG, and his in depth understanding of consumers will be a great asset to Metcash as we continue to the company’s transformation journey,” Barnes said.

In February the IGA supplier appointed former David Jones CFO, Brad Soller, as its new CFO, and last month Metcash’s CEO of food and grocery supermarkets, Fergus Collins, resigned after 13 years with the business.